Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
Appointment Phone: 410-550-0942

Background

Dr. John A. Ulatowski is a professor of anesthesiology and critical care medicine, neurological surgery and neurology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He is one of the world’s leading investigators into the regulatory mechanisms of cerebral blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain.

Dr. Ulatowski serves as the vice president and executive medical director of the Johns Hopkins Medicine International Leadership Team.

He received his undergraduate degree in biology from Niagara University in New York. He earned his M.S. in natural sciences, Ph.D. in physiology and M.D. at The State University of New York. He received his M.B.A. from Loyola College of Maryland. While completing his residency in neurology at the University of Maryland Hospital (now UMMS), he began a second residency in anesthesiology at Johns Hopkins in 1988. He followed this with combined fellowships in neuroanesthesia and neurocritical care.

Dr. Ulatowski became co-director, and then interim director, of the Neurocritical Care Unit at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. He later served as clinical vice chairperson of the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine (ACCM).

In 2004, after serving as ACCM's interim director, Dr. Ulatowski became the Mark C. Rogers Professor and director of the department, as well as anesthesiologist-in-chief for The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Under his oversight, ACCM has emerged as an institutional leader in patient safety, culminating in the founding of the Armstrong Institute. He has facilitated telemedicine initiatives in the adult and pediatric ICUs to improve patient care, and with his support, Johns Hopkins faculty members are now viewed as national and international leaders in the field. On his watch, the program has had unprecedented growth with expansion of the faculty; creation of a new educational platform for the residency and fellowships in all specialties in anesthesia; and growth of the CRNA division.

In addition, during Dr. Ulatowski’s tenure, ACCM attracted an extraordinary amount of federal dollars, which has helped expand its efforts in basic science, translational and health service research, and patient safety. His guidance on hospital redesign aimed at improving patient-centered care and cost effectiveness was invaluable during the construction of the Sheikh Zayed Tower and the Charlotte R. Bloomberg Children's Center, and he oversaw ACCM's successful transition to the new patient towers.

In 2013, Dr. Ulatowski stepped down as director of the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine.

Education

Degrees

Residencies

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine / Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine (1990)

Fellowships

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (1991)

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine / Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine (1992)

Board Certifications

American Board of Anesthesiology / Anesthesiology
(1991)

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology / Neurology
(1991)

Research & Publications

Research Summary

Dr. Ulatowski’s ongoing research includes the development and application of noninvasive techniques for monitoring brain function, fluid management and sedation in patients with brain injury; use of novel oxygen carriers in blood; and new techniques and therapies for stroke.

A new area of exploration for Dr. Ulatowski is that of health service research toward the design of safer systems surrounding the care of perioperative/periprocedural patients. Anesthesiologists, intensive care physicians and pain physicians have led the way in creating safe environments in individual ORs, ICU rooms and interventional pain procedure rooms. The next generation of perioperative physicians will create even safer environments around OR suites, ICUs and pain clinics to ensure better preparation and safe passage of patients. The goal is to prevent even the occasional mistake made by well-meaning practitioners. They will use information technologies and analytical business tools to improve outcomes (medical, financial, human resource and patient satisfaction).